Interviews with Mahnaz Karimi

I am a modern artist specializing in resin art, fluid art and acrylic painting. My interest to art was cultivated during my teenage years and further developed when I opted to take her Bachelor’s degree in Graphics from ALZAHRA University in Tehran, Iran. In addition to my thirteen-year experience of glass painting (Vitray), I have been a professional abstract resin artist for five years. I have been teaching the art of acrylic painting and resin since 2016. I have conducted several art workshops in most cities of Iran

From an early age, I was interested in art and designing and decided to continue my education in this field. My creativity and imagination made me want to be a designer.

The initial concept and idea, cultivation the idea and searching for it and finally performing the concept in my studio.

I feel calm and relaxed when design. Working on a painting takes me beyond the world.

My intense love of art and persistence shaped me as a designer.

I would like to be seen in the world and could share my experience and knowledge with all art lovers in the world.

Set goals for themselves. Do not get limited by boundaries and structures. Be patient and persistent.

Do not stop if you fail. consider it a platform to move you forward.

I work in my studio for about seven or eight hours every day.However, I always try to make a balance between work and spending time with family.

I always try to be updated and know about the trends. I work with some galleries who order trendy designs for their clients.

A good design is one that has both exterior beauty and meaning and message.

After creating an artwork with resin, I must wait for about 72 hours until it is totally dry.

My biggest design work is Dandelion and Wishes.

My favorite designer is Dale Chihuly.

My country and its cultural heritage is considered as the source of inspiration for artists in the world.

I work individually in my studio.

When I was a beginner, I did everything to learn the techniques of my art. Now I try to teach the art lovers how to perform the techniques and create great artworks.

Adesign helped me to be known widely in the world. It also helped me to create a great artwork which is the result of five-year persistence and experience in resin.

The main inspiration comes from the nature. My purpose of "Dandelion and Wishes" was not specifically a wall art decor, but to have a message and story behind to influence the audience so that they can see both the exterior beauty and get a good and spiritual feeling.

Liberty

Freedom

Flying

Each Dandelion seed is representative of a country in the world. Once the seeds reach the number of the countries in the world, the whole wall art is going to be donated to UNESCO to be the messenger of peace and freedom from all countries to children and people in the world.

It took me six months.

This design was not commissioned. After I installed the plates on the wall, I got a sense of freedom and flying in it.

This design has not been done or performed with resin. After I posted my artwork, there may be some artists who tried to create a similar work.

I always tried to give dimension and volume to resin, make it raised and to a sculpture . My concern was to make flat resin raised and dimensional.

Dale Chihuly's designs had a great effect on me.

Galleries

Art shops

Hotels

Decorators

The effect of color on this design which conveys meanings. The deformed shapes to give a sense of rotation and flying.

Since I was looking for a sense of lightness and flying, the first thing that comes to my mind was Dandelion. And dandelions are symbols of happiness messages every where in the world and we wish on dandelions, therefore, I decided to have the name "Dandelion and Wishes" for my design.

I used resin materials, molds and pigments to create such a work.

Having interior beauty, as well as having an inner message is the unique aspect of my work.

I worked with a team helping me on making molds.

Resin is an industrial material made by the present technologies and then entered the world of art.

Providing high quality resin and installing the pieces on the wall were the challenges.

My first purpose was to be seen internationally and I also would like to donate it to UNESCO with the help of Adesign.

Every piece of work I created was a world of experience to me. But I mostly learn that the world of colors and art is limitless and without boundaries.

My interest to art was cultivated during my teenage years and further developed when I opted to take my Bachelor’s degree in Graphics from Alzahra University in Tehran, Iran. I have mastered the skills and chemistry of my medium, to further develop the process and expand its boundaries. In addition to my thirteen-year experience of glass painting (Vitray), I have been a professional abstract resin artist for five years.

Being a creator is the greatest and most beautiful feeling in the world and I got motivated by the desired works I create.

I chose to become a designer. My intense love of art and design led me toward this field.

I design wall art decors, serving trays, jewelry stands, resin boxes, paintings,etc.

I wish to design more of nature in imagination.

Set their goals regardless of limitations and boundaries.

Be patient and persistent

Respect all artists and the art world

A good designer has unique ideas and designs and creativity. A great designer has all of them, too. But, teach them to others and share the science of design with others to develop ideas and concepts in other people's minds.

A design that has both beauty and a message or usage can be considered as a good design.

As everyone needs a good doctor, a good advisor, a good teacher, definitely everyone needs a good design to depict the beauties in this modern life.

I would design the starry night for myself, if I had the time.

The dance of jellyfish in the ocean is the project I have always dreamed to create.

I am used to sharing all my experience and recipe of success with my students and art lovers. so there is no secret recipe.

I get inspired from Iran Darroudi, who is a contemporary Iranian artist. Her art consists of surreal paintings dealing with Iranian themed imagery and strong lighting.

MRS.COLORBERRY is my second inspiration for work.

I like home decorations and modern decorations.

Dandelion and Wishes is my greatest design. I think it is great because it has always been my concern to design such a work.

People should try to experiment new forms and concepts and not be afraid of failure.

If I hadn't become a designer, I would have sold flowers.

Design is depicting the beautiful form and shape of sweet or bitter realities in life.

My family was my biggest supporter.

Persistence, Intense interest in creation and patience helped me to become a great designer.

As a woman, wife and mother I experienced many obstacles developing my designs and becoming a design master.

A designer must definitely have someone who is professional and fully aware of the design to present and promote the work.

Searching for water in the desert is going to be my next design project.

Giving vital messages of humanity to people. the messages that are forgotten in the era of technology and consumerism.

They expect designers to design perfectly, consider all the aspects and have both beauty and usage in the design.

A good designer can create peace and relaxation in the society.

I am currently preparing a series of artworks to exhibit in Carousel Du Louvre in Paris.

The projects that have international audience,because we can communicate with all people in the world through the language of art.

I think nowadays the design companies and designers are creating luxurious designs for rich and wealthy people in the world. I like designs to change in a way that all people in other levels of society could also feel and have them.

I think the design field is heard in education.

It depends on the design project. It varies from a few days to some months.

I start all my design projects in my art studio.

Color, Flying and dream

I think trends set the designs.

The materials I am using are industrial, having traces of technology in. The applications and tools I utilize when designing are also the outcome of technology.

I use the software "Paint" and YouTube and Pinterest to get more understanding of my idea and design.

Each color has its own characteristic and when they are mixed with designers' ambient, they can create incredibly unique scenes, like actors playing roles in various films.

I wish people to ask me abut my feeling from the beginning of design to the end and how much positive energy I received from the design.

I worship the new design in my mind.

I design individually but sometimes get help from some of my art students.

I can't remember anyone right now.

I usually search on the Internet or Instagram to get the kind of information I need

I always to be up-to-dated to know the new skills and chemist of my field and get information about the new trends in the world.

I would meet and talk with the designer of Pasargadae, the capital of Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great.

It is really hard to be famous, you need to try hard, sometimes fail, start again and proceed. I am so proud to be an award winner and try all my best to realized the value of such awards.

Blue, Paris, Lasagna, Winter, carpet, Gucci

I remember the first days I started working with resin. I started with trial and error. Everywhere was resin , My face, body, hands was covered with resin. I could see resin in my kitchen, bathroom, stairs.

Going to my studio and testing new ways of performing art and finally getting the desired result really motivates me to continue.

As a child, one of my wishes was to be a famous artist and designer, someone who designed uniquely and made different artworks

It is really difficult to predict what is going to happen thousands years from now. I just think designs will be so simple and understandable for everyone but full of feelings and meanings.

I am really interested in sharing all my experience and knowledge with my fans so that, one day they could be in my status and I would be proud of them.

As a child, one of my wishes was to be a famous artist and designer, someone who designed uniquely and made different artworks. My interest to art was cultivated during my teenage years and further developed when I opted to take my Bachelor’s degree in Graphics from Alzahra University in Tehran, Iran. I had so many concerns in mind and have always tried to show these concerns differently; therefore, I found art the best medium to express my thoughts, concerns and my world, which is a unique utopia.

I have been working in my art studio for a long time. My studio is filled with all the materials and supplies I could want in one place. I've had lots of bittersweet memories there, so the walls and objects reflect all my efforts to reach my desirable results.

Design is a kind of journey that no one can easily go on.Once the designer steps into this journey, s/he encounters many ups and downs that can be considered as the experiences they obtained. When the journey is over, the outcome and souvenir of this journey would be the great influences the design had on the people's lives. Like traveling to unexplored places with special and unique achievements, the designers' souvenir of journey of design can be all the creativity, new ideas and unique designs.

I like to design something that gives me a sense of flying, to have an upward motion in the design and convey happiness.

My favorite design is abstract painting specially minimalist which is a world of imagination, full of colors, dimension and effects.

I designed some paintings for ISTA company in 2010. I painted some of Van Gogh's paintings but used different material and styles which is a great deconstruction in glass painting. In fact, I applied Van Gogh's oil painting style using glass painting(vitray) materials.

I also designed geometric paintings of computer scientists for this company.

My favorite material is resin, which can depict my feeling the best way. various forms and effects can be created with resin.

When I get an inspiration and use my materials to depict the feeling and sense and I've been successful in it.

I mostly focus on the message the design is going to have. I also try to focus on the unique forms that have not been seen or created before. It is also important for me to get out structures and lines and have a new dimension and layer in the artwork.

I have a sense of birth, when designing. I think I am created by my design not my design is created by me. Some of my artworks are so warm and nice that I think I am their child, therefore, I am extremely attached to them.

I think it can be the biggest thing for any artist or designer. I get a sense of calmness that covers all my failure and bad memories when performed the design. It gives me extra motivation to continue when my designs are realized and I get positive feedback.

Designer's own belief and faith in his/her created design is the first thing to make a design successful.

The message the design has or the message I get from the design regarding the sense of calmness and peace is one of the aspects I consider when judging a design. If a design is taking a step toward thinking about the ideals in life, I will judge it as good. The designer's biography and background is another aspect which I pay attention to when judging a design.

Designers have the ability to make changes that politicians, governess and leaders are trying to make, without using power, money or force just with a single design. therefore, the designer must have ideals and goals toward excellence and perfection.

The design field is going toward the most wonderful state it can have, overcoming the basic needs and moving toward a minimal utopia.The perception of designs needs more knowledge of this field. Designs are created not just to express beauty but to communicate with the audience.

I am going to exhibit in WORLD ART DUBAI and ART SHOPPING in PARIS, in October 2020.

My big source of inspiration is the nature. In addition, I get inspired by human ideal life without any violence.

My dominant design style is abstract, however, sometimes I apply minimalist styles, too.My designs are primarily based upon pouring which means applying the paint by pouring rather than applying the paint with a brush. My approach is to give the most messages in my design having the least involvement, so that the colors and layers can themselves reflect the intention.

I live in Iran, whose cultural history goes back to 7000 years ago. The most prominent architectures, paintings and literature belonged to my country. In fact, We have a treasure of 7000-year-old cultural heritage. I got the most effect on my art from the king " Cyrus the Great", who always emphasized living in a world of peace,respect and kindness without war and violence. I try to depict these values in my designs.

Upon companies' request considering exquisite gifts for their clients, various interior designs and decorations for their work space

Unfortunately, the companies usually choose celebrity designers and artists. I suggest that they ask new designers to design for them. Have a little patience and let them show their great talents and abilities.

My designs first come from an instant idea in mind, then I try to perform them in various models, colors and sizes until I could see my first inspiring idea in my created work. Sometimes I need to master the chemistry and knowledge of the medium, take photos of the nature or search to further develop the process of designing.

A Geode painting

Serving trays

Coasters

I start my new day from the previous day, thinking about what I am going to do the following day, the works I am going to do and the designs I am going to make. Then I go to my studio, which is again a new start for me.

I suggest that young designers settle goals for themselves,know where they are and how they feel when designing. Go beyond the boundaries and limits. Respect other designers and the design world. Be patient and persistent. Spend time and energy for what they are doing. Sometimes you have to sacrifice something such as youth to achieve better things in the future.

You can change your mood and feeling yourself. You can also lead others toward perfection or deterioration.

Harmony and right arrangement of colors on the painting to show the main design is my golden rule. It is not important how many colors are involved, but proper arrangement of these colors on the board is what is crucial for me when designing.

Living well, having enough information about how to use forms and colors, Seeing things around, having concerns in mind can be the important skills for a designer.

An idea first comes to my mind and then I try to use the "Paint" application to add colors, use "YouTube'' and "Pinter est" to see how various performances on the design. Sometimes I see other artists' and designers' works, maybe an architecture or a poem", gather the information I need and think about my design.

To be honest, I sometimes got immersed in my work and spend hours working on a design. sometimes it is really difficult to manage time. I try to sleep less to get my final desired result and then get the relaxation and sense of satisfaction of work at the end.

It depends on the process that needs to be taken. Some works can be created by some initial tests but some works need molding and some specific designing process, therefore they take more time, sometimes months.

They ask me how they can be good designers.

My most important job experience is to make progress every day and to be patient and persistent.

Decorators, galleries and art shops are usually my clients.

I enjoy Modern, Luxury Modern and Minimal designs.

To be seen widely in the world, expanding my design boundaries to other countries and helping others to learn the skills and techniques of my art in the world.

I mostly work individually but sometimes I certainly need a team to support me. I am so happy to have a team I can trust.

I have a collection of artworks that I am working on to be shown in Carousel Du Louvre in Paris, which is a synthesis of classical art and modern art of resin.

I have a website. www.mahnazkarimi.art

My email address is mahnazkarimi.modernart@gmail.com

You can search my name in YouTube, Pinterest and Linked-in, too

A design can develop and progress when coming into production.There are some people who would like to support artists and designers and sponsor their designs and My biggest concern as an artist living in Iran is to provide the high quality materials which are not available in Iran or are very expensive and not affordable. I would like people to consider all aspects of a design when they select it, the costs, the time and help new designers develop.